Figure 8-5.Mk 1 target leader.The 3/32-inch cable comes in 10,000-foot spools,has a minimum breaking strength of 920 pounds whennew, and is 7 by 7 in construction. It consists of sevenstrands; each strand has seven wires, and is commonlyreferred to as 7 by 7. This cable weighs 1.5 pounds per100 feet.The 1/8-inch cable is shipped in either 11,500-to12,500-foot spools or 7,000-to 7,500-foot spools. It hasa minimum breaking strength of 2,000 pounds whennew. It is 7 by 19 in construction (7 strands, 19 wiresper strand) and weighs 2.9 pounds per 100 feet.The 1/8-inch armored cable is shipped in spools. Ithas a minimum breaking strength of 2,160 pounds. It isconstructed of one strand of 19 wires, with a flatarmoring wire swaged spirally around the strand with aminimum of 6 turns per inch. The armored cable weighs4 pounds per 100 feet. Cross-sectional views of thesethree cables are shown in figure 8-4.These cables are not lubricated. The use of grease,oil, paraffin, or other lubricants on the cable is a firehazard. An explosive vapor is created in the towingaircraft as the cable is reeled out at high speeds. Sincethe cables are not lubricated, they must be storedin a dry place, or cleaned and coated withcorrosion-preventive compound according toinstructions.Continual use of a cable reduces its strength. Targettowing subjects the cable to severe stress in addition tothe damage caused by gunfire. You need to inspectcables frequently.The cable should be repaired orreplaced if there are indications of fraying (brokenwires), birdcaging (partial unwinding of the strandsalong the cable), or snarling (unwinding of the strandsand wires at the end of the cable). Running a cloth alongthe cable will help you locate broken wires, as they willcatch in the cloth. Never run your bare hand along thecable because the broken wires will catch in the flesh.Also, you should never use a knot to attach a target, sincethe knot weakens the cable by 50 percent or more. Aneye splice is recommended for this purpose.Mk 1 Target LeaderThe Mk 1 target leader (fig. 8-5) is used to attachtargets and target-release messengers to the release ring.In turn, the target ring is held by the Mk 7 Mod 4 targetrelease. When the target is dropped, the leader and ringdrop with it.The leader is a 34-inch length of 5/32-inch diameter7 by 19 steel cable swaged into a yoke at one end withan eye at the other end. To use the leader, you attach thebridle eye of the target to the yoke of the leader. Then,secure the eye end of the leader with a shackle to therelease ring or snarl catcher that slides along the towcable.Mk 8 Target Release RingThe Mk 8 target release ring (fig. 8-6) is made ofcase-hardened alloy steel and is about 3 inches long.The smaller eye is 1/2 inch in diameter, while the largereye is 1 1/2 inches in diameter. You should attach thetarget leader to the smaller eye (securing eye). Thelarger loop (hole) slides along the cable, and is held bythe target release when the target is towed with a reel.Figure 8-6.Mk 8 target release ring.8-5